This was a very special session for me – I’ve known Lucy and Iain for over 20 years since we all met at university. Lucy and Iain have been with me throughout my photographic journey from my days on the university newspaper, through my time cutting my teeth as a press photographer in my first ever job on a local newspaper in Scotland, right through to my decision to focus on documentary family photography in London. And to boot, we’ve ended up living just down the road from each other.

Way back when I decided to turn my photographic attentions to family photography in London I had a very lovely first client, Laura with her husband Ciaran and their one-year-old Finn. They booked me to do some family photos to celebrate Finn’s first birthday and we spent a lovely session in Mayow Park in Sydenham / Forest Hill. I was absolutely delighted when Laura contacted me again to update the photos as their family had grown with the addition of gorgeous Bonnie who was herself now about to turn one.

When your children look back on their family photos, will you be in them? Or have you always been the photographer? Or have you always just avoided the camera because you don’t like having your picture taken?
I’m as guilty as the next person. Especially as a London family photographer – I’m always the one behind the camera. I have some gorgeous pictures of my children and their dad that I will treasure forever. But what about the pictures that feature me: that my kids may treasure one day when I’m not around?

The final in my trio of expectant mums was beautiful Marina with her husband Ben, this time in Balham.
One of the perks of being a south London maternity photographer is getting to meet first time mums-to-be like Marina, all excited and glowing with expectation.

The second of my weekend London maternity photoshoots was also in Wimbledon with Emma, Italian husband Graziano (continuing my international theme) and their five-year-old son Max as well as their excitable little hairy sausage dog Opie!

I had a weekend full of maternity shoots – as the old adage goes good things come in threes! Sarah was the first of my gorgeous mamas-to-be, based in Wimbledon.

I was really looking forward to meeting this gorgeous 10-day-old baby girl for her newborn photoshoot – the first in her Baby’s First Year package.

“Daddy never smiles for photos” according to 6-year-old Alicia! Well I do like a challenge and I’m pleased to say I did manage to get Kaveh to crack a smile! And who wouldn’t with such a gorgeous family about to get one bigger.

Beckenham family George, Marina, Isla-Mae and Liam contacted me to do some natural, relaxed family photography in Crystal palace Park – one of their favourite haunts. This was an extra privilege to be asked as they’re personal friends and Marina is herself a photographer. She suffers from the usual problem that as a photographer she’s always behind the camera and never in front. So it was an honour to be the one to rectify that.

Brothers Jay and Zak were absolutely full of beans when I went to photograph them at their flat in Sydenham. Sometimes people worry they don’t have the space or their house is too cluttered for a family photography session in their home. I think that’s nonsense – it’s the clutter that helps tell the story of who you are as a family. Your home is where you spend a large proportion of your time – it should be part of the picture. As a Sydenham lifestyle family photographer, everyone wants to get out into Crystal Palace Park or Sydenham Wells Park for family photography, but I love the ones that are at home where I can really get to know my subjects. There’s nothing like a child inviting you into their world and showing you their toys – their faces simply light up with enthusiasm.